Steam-turbine.



E. R. NEWTON.

STEAM TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24,1915.

lfilfififi Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l Witnesses:

QM v u E. R. NEWTON. STEAM TURBINE. APPLICATION HLED IUNE 24,1915.

m'mmo- PatentedDec.1 O,l918. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 5. Hml

Inventor Attornaya.

ITED STAS PATENT oFFIoE.

EARLE R. NEWTON, F NYACK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL CURTIS MARINE TURBINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.. Y;, A GORPORATION OF. WEST vmemra.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, EARLE R. NEWTON, a

- citizen otthe United-States, resident of Nyack, county of Rockland, State of New Y'ork,-have invented a certain new and use ful Improvement in Steam-Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

The objects I have in view are to. improve the efficiency of turbines when run at re-, duced power and when run at full power,

and 1 Fig. 3 is a detail View of a turbine comprising high and low ressure elements."

In the drawings I i lustrate a steam turbine comprising a high pressure element and a low pressure element which exhaust; into a condenser, as shown in Fig. 3 or into an additional turbine element which exhausts into a condenser, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I have illustrated the additional element in Figs. 1 and 2 as consisting of a low speed high pressure element and a low speed low pressure element, the latter of which exhausts into a condenser.

It is well understood that the blade speed of a turbine must bear'a definite relation to the steam speed in order to secure the best efficiency. If a turbine is designed for high blade speeds there must be a considerable drop in pressure between stages or rows of blades, in order to getthe steam velocity necessary to accommodate the high blade speed. .Turbines designed for low blade speed will operate with steam of lower ve locity, hence the drop in pressure between stages or rows of blades will be less. For

this reason turbines having a high blade speed, to operate with efficiency, should be divided into few stages or rows of blades while on the other hand turbines having a low blade speed, to be efficient, should be divided into a greater number of stages or rows of blades. In turbines designed to give another portion of it.

STEAM-TURBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dem 10. 1918 Application filed June 24, 1915.

Serial No. 36,034.

good economy at reduced power (that is. with reduced steam flow and reduced revolutions) the stages after the first are very apt to be over-speeded when running at the normal full power and overload conditions; that is, the ratio we speed steam speed becomes too great and the efiiciency falls ofi. In other words there aretoo many stages or rows ofblades in series for the full power condition of operation.

If, on the other hand, the turbines are designed to give the best possible eili'ciency atfull power the efiiciency at reduced power w ll be poor, because a turbine thus designed will have too few stages or rows of blades in series to give good efficiency at the reduced powers. That is, the ratio of blade speed steam speed for the various stages or rows is too small.

The practice in the past has'been' either to design the turbines for an intermediate power and sacrifice some eificlency'at both the high powers and the low powers, or to by-pass the steam around certain stages at the high powers. These bypassed stages not only deliver no work to the shaft, but they absorb considerable power in rotation losses and in eddy current losses.

According to the present invention Idesign the turbine sov that it is'efiicient at both reduced and full powers and I secure I i this elfect by dividing the turbine into a comparatively large number of stages or" rows of blades. For operatingat reduced power I run thesteam entirely through the turbine. At full power, steam flows through a portion of the turbine and is then divided, part Ebeing passed through oneyportion of theturbine, and part being passed through By this means the turbine in effect is composed of a large number of stages or rows of blades when operating at reduced power, hence with asmall drop'in pressure between stages or rows of blades and consequently low steam velocity to accommodate the low blade speeds. The turbine. when run at full power in effect utilizes few stages or rows of blades for the which rotates a propeller S).

expansion 0" the steam so that a large pres sure drop is secured at each stage or row of blades, and hence the necessary high velocity of the steam to etlectively act upon the blades moving at higher speeds is obtained. The drawings illustrate several enibodiments of the invention. Referring to Fig. 3, a high pressure steam turbine'element l and a low pressure steam turbine element 2 are mounted upon shafts 3 and 4 respectively. Each element is provided with a plurality of stages or rows of blades; Each shaft is provided .with a gear 5 and (i and these two gears engage with a harger gear 7. The gear Zlrives a shaft 8 These gears permit the turbine to turn at 'a much higher rate of speed than the propeller. These gears constitute one form of speed reduction mechanism. ()ther forms of i-ipeed reduction L mechanism may be employed or the speed reduction mechanism may be omitted and the power bc'taken directly irom the shafts 3 and 4-. Steam is admitted to the element 1 through the inlet'ill. From the outlet ot the element 1 the steam exhausts. It. may

go direct to the condenser, or to an additional turbine (see Figs. 1' and .2) or it may 'traversea passage 11 to the outlet of the element 2 and from thence directly to the con- -"dc nser (see Fig. 3). A passage 12 connects tliennlet end of the element 1 (preferably beyond the first stage or row of blades) and 'thejnlet of the element. .2. A third passage 13 conneetsrthe outlet otthe element 1 to the inlet. of the nent 2. connected to the outlet of the-element by a passage 15. The passage 11 proyided with a valve 16. The passage 12 is providwl with a valve l7, and the passage 13 is pro-- videll with a valve 18. In runninewith reduced steam'flow and reduced revolutions Steam is admittedthrough the inlet ll), the valves lb and 1 .7 being: closed andliic valve 18 opened. 'The steam after traversing all of thestages or roars ot'bladcs ot'lhc clement 1 will go through the passage i3 and will then traverse all ot'the stages or rows or blades ot'the element 2 and thence it will enter the condenser. This produces in enec. a longr'turbine termed of a large number of stagesor rows of blades with a relatively low pressure drop between each. The rei'ocity' ot the steam, therefore. will be in proper proportion tothe speed of the blades. For operating at full power the valves to and'l? vwill be opened and the valve 18 The condenser 1 is Leezces alle l through substantially all of the two elements. Each element can be designed to develop about equal power. The total drop in pressure of the steam from the inlet to the outlet of each element. will be through about half the number of stages as in the.

case when the, steam passes in series through the two elements. The pressure drop in each stage, therefore, will be greater and the velocity of the steam .will be greater. The velocity of the steam will therefore he more blades so that etiicient action will be secured. It is to be noted from an examination of Fig. 3 that the passage 12 is connected to the element 1 beyoml the first stage or rows ol blades therein. This is an effective arrangement because the first stage or rows of blades ordimirily may be designed sothat it will be etlicient at reduced revolutions or at full power. As also shown in Fig. 3, the passage it is provided .with branches having valves 19 therein. These branches admit steam to stages in advance of the last. stage of the ele ment 2-. liy opening and closing" certain of the valves 1!) nd closing the valve. ill, the steam from the outlet of the element 1 may be aused to enter certain ()1 the stages of be element 2 in advance. of thodischarge n? thereof causing a back pressure within me element 1, with a consequent reduction in the i 'clocityin steam in such element. This arrangement may be utilized \vhcuit is desired to secure a ditlcrcnt distribution of energy between the two shafts.

Referring to Fig. A. the arrangement substantiallv as hcreinbctore described is applied to a twin screw turbine arrangement. in this arrangement a high pressure low speedturbine elemcr 2G is connected to a shaft 23 which drii propeller 22. The stem-n"dischar s from the elements 1 and 2 through pasnge 23 to the element 20. A low speed turbine element 9.5

low pressure i.-. onnrcted 4 the shaft h and the outict of t sham trom t.

t 1e element 25 through a pas- L i, till. nnci ot sage 2%.

, reprasjinl. an cmhmlimcnt. ot' the iuvcnliun in which the steam passage 1.1 from the element 1 connects to the inlet end at the element while the passage 15 from the low pressure high speed element. 2 core nccis to an intern llh e age at the element this arn Jenn;

under foil power the Ll!) will be discharged from the clcnicni 5. directly into the head oi the element 20. while the steamdischarging: from the -leinenl 2 will enter the element '20 beyond the head thereof.

In both the structures illustrated in Figs. 1 and E2. aa'nlVe 2 4 is arranged in the passage 15. I v

it is apparent that an arrangement may be, emplo wd as shown ir- Figs. 1 and 2 but when operatii'ig nearly in accordance with the speed of the utilizing the elements 1, 2 and only, the

steam being admitted directly fromthe elements 1 and 2 to the element 25.

It is also apparent that a twin screw arrangement may be used omitting the element 25. It is also apparent that the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 may be used, but with the elements 1 and 2 being mounted upon a single shaft.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of my invention, together-with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that the inv vention'may be carried out in other ways.

I" .steam passages so arranged that at'reduced 25 lrigh power thesteam flows through a por- :"ti'oniof thestages or rows of blades, then fsuhdivides and flows in parallel through "I claim as new and desire to 2 of "blades. .1 2. Astea'm turbine comprising a plurality of stages or rows of blades arranged in two or more separate chambers, there being con? Having now described my invention, what secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A steam turbine comprising a plurality of stages or rows of blades with connecting power all of the steam flows in series through all oisthe stages or rows of blades, and at some or' all of the remaining stages or rows nesting steam passages so arranged that at reduced power all of thesteam flows in series throughall of the stages or rows'ot '1 blades, and at high power the steam flows Y through aportion of the stages 01' rows of blades, then subdi'vides and flows in parallel a through some of all or the remaining stages or 'rows of blades.

3. A steam turbine comprising high pressure stages or rows of blades and low pressure stages or-ro'ws of blades with connecting steam passages so arranged that at re duced power all of theStea-m flows in series through all of the stages or rows of blades and at high power thesteam flows through the first stage or rows of blades then' subdivides and flows through the remaining high pressure stages or rows of blades in parallel with some or all of the low pressure stages or rows of blades.

f1. A steam turbine comprlsing a high pressureelement provided with stages or rows of bladesand. a low pressure element provided with stages or rows of blades in combination with an additional turbine element, connecting steam passages so arranged that at, reduced power the steam flows in series'through all the stages 0r rows of bladesEof the high pressure element then through theother elements to the exhaust,

and at high power the steam flows through a portionjof the stages or rows of blades of the high pressure element then subdivides and flows through the remaining stages or f. rows of blades of this element in parallel with some or all of the stages or rows of blades of the low pressure element and then through the additional turbine element to the exhaust 5. A steam turbine comprising a high pressure element provided with stages or rows of blade and a low pressure element provided with stages or rows of blades in combination with additional turbine elements, connecting steam passage so arranged that at reduced power the steam flows in series through all the stages or rows of blades of the high ressure element then through the additional? turbine elements and at high power the steam flow through the first stages or rows of blades of the high pressure element then subdivides and flows through the remaining high pressure stages or rows of blades ofthis elementin-paral'lel with some or all of the stages or rows of blades of the low pressure element-and then throu h the additional turbines.

6. he combination with a high speed high pressure steamturbine element and a high speed low'pressure steam turbine element,,both connected to drive a propeller, and a low speed high pressure steam turbinev element connected to drive a propeller,

means for admitting steam lnto the inlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element, means for passing the steam from the outlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of I the high speed low pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, whereby the steam will flow in series through the high speed high pressure steam turbine element and the high speed'low pressure steam turbine for reduced power, means for passa 'ing steam from the outlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to I the inlet end of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, and means for passlng steam from the inlet end of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet end of the high speed low "low speed highpressure'steam turbine element connected to drive a second propeller,

means for admitting steam into the inlet end of the high speed, high pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet, of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet end of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of the low speed low pressure steam turbine. element, whereby the steam will lion in series through the tour turbine elements for reduced power means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbineelement to the inlet ot the low s erd hi 'h )ressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from (sonnet-ted the inlet end of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element so the steamwvill llow in parallel lhrough the two high speed turbine elements and in series through the two low speed inlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element to the inlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, whereby the steam will flow in series through the high speed high pressure steam turbine element and the high speed low pressure steam turbine element for re duced power, means tor passing steam from the outlet of the 'high speed high pressures'tea'm turbine element to the inlet (rt-the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, and means for passing steam from the inlet end of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet end of the high speed low pressure .steam turbine element'so that the steam will How in parallel through the two high speed steam tur blues to the low speed steam turbine olements for full power.

5). The combination with a high speed high pressure steam turbine and a high speed low pressuresteam turbine element, a

shaft for each turbine element. a propeller shaft, speed reducing mechanism eonnrrtmg the shafts, a low speed low pressure steam turbine element connected to the propeller shaft, a low speed high pressure steam turbine element, aseeond propeller shaft eonneoted to the said low speed high pressure steam turbine element, means for admitting steam into the inlet end of the highspeed high pressura steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbine to the inlet end of the high speed low pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed low pressure steam turbine. element to the inlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element, means for passing steam from the outlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet oi the low speed low pressure steam turbine element, whereby the steam will flow in series through the fOllrl'lllblIlG elements for redueetll power, means for passing steam from the outlet of the high speed high pressure steam turbine element to'the inlet of the low speed high pressure steam turbine element and means for passing steam from the inlet end otthe high speed high pressure steam turbine element to the inlet ol the highspeed low pressure steam turbine element '50 the steani will flow in parallel through thetwo high speed turbine elements and inseries through the tw low speed turbine elements for full power. v s I 10. A steam turbine comprising a multistage high pressure steam turbine element and a multistage low pressure steam turbine element, a shaft tor oat-h element, a propeller shaft, speed reducing mechanism connecting the shafts, means for admitting steam to the high pressure element, and means for passing steam from the outlet of the high pres sure element to the inlet ofthe low element, whereby steam will flow in series through both elements for reduced power means for admitting steam from an intermediate p'or tion of the high pressure element to the inlet end of the low pressureelement, and means for exhausting steam from the outlet of the high pressure element, whereby the steam will flow in parallel through the remaining stages or rows of blades of the high pressure element and some or all of the stages of the low pressure element for full power.

11. A steam turbinecomprising a multistage high pressure element. and an n1ultistage low pressure elemenh a shaftfol-each element, a propeller shaft, speed reduction gearing connecting the shafts, in combination witlr an additional turbine element,

means to admitting steam to the high pres sure element, and means for passing, steam from the outlet of the high pressure element to the inlet of the low pressure element, whereby at reduced power the steam will flow in series through both of the elements,

exhaust, means for admitting stezun from lmve of blades of this element-in perallal I an intermediate portion ofthe high pressure element to the inlet of the low pressure element, and means for exhausting steam from the outlet elf the high pressure element whereby atfull. power the stennr will flow through the first stage or rows of blades of the high pressn'reelement, then subdivide nnd flow through the remaining stages or with some er all of the stages 01' raws of blades of the low pressure element and then thrnugh the additional element tn the ex hnnst.

This specification signed and witnessed this twentythird (lay of June, 1915.

Witnesses ANNA. E. lhm'mx, w 1 Jm. I DI-IRAN. 

